“Ah, yes, that’s it! We are alive! Feel it, taste it, bleed it, live it! We are alive!” Vlad called out, bouncing off the mountaintops. “We are alive!”
* * * * * * *
Chapter Sixteen
Headed to Silverthorne, Colorado
“Silverthorne is about 15 miles up,” said Lonnie over the radio. “We got a late start today, and there is a lake just southeast of town, called Dillon Reservoir. Hopefully, we can catch some fish and filter water, plus wash up a bit if all are agreed.”
“Good for us on the trailer,” I called out, with both Jake and Vlad nodding in agreement.
Others called the same over the radio, and in only one hour we were at the south end of the lake. Lonnie called for a quick meeting at a bluff overlooking the beautiful mountain lake.
“The town of Silverthorne shares this body of water with Dillon to the east and Frisco to the southwest. There is an inlet to the east that appears to be our best bet for some privacy—right down there for those who can see it,” he said.
Those of us on the trailer scanned the inlet, with only a few small campsites to be seen. “They look harmless to me,” I said aloud, counting six clustered near each other.
“I’m sure they will mind their own business,” I added fifteen minutes later as we pulled slowly past them.
“I would say you’re right; they look spooked,” pointed out Vlad as men and women ran around, scooping up their children and supplies. Most stumbled, nearly tripping over each other to gather their belongings and move down the road.
“That’s not what I was expecting…” said Jake, trailing off when I pointed to the children.
“It’s The Beast they are pointing to—I mean Bert,” I said. “Hold up, Lonnie. I want to talk to these folks for a minute.”
“Are you sure?” he replied. “Bad things tend to happen when we stop.”
“Yeah, just a minute. I’ll be quick.”
We slowed to a stop, and all could hear the squeaking brakes of the old truck in the back.
“Excuse me,” I called out to a woman gathering her children in a panic. “Excuse me, ma’am. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“We’ve got this,” said Joy over the radio, opening the door of their vehicle and stepping out with Nancy and Lucy.
I couldn’t hear what they told the woman, but minutes later she seemed no longer frightened, and the small groups returned to reset their camps.
* * * *
The men got together, deciding to give the ladies a break for the day. Not just a “we-will-watch-the-kids day but a full-on Next-World pampered afternoon. We guys got together with a plan and presented it to them around 2 p.m.
“In appreciation of all that you do for us and the kids,” I announced, “we offer you all an afternoon of leisure. I’m guessing, but certainly not suggesting, most of you would be interested in bathing first? We will be serving mimosas in about an hour, thanks to Mel’s donation— chilled, of course—paired with Tang. It’s not quite old school, I know, but it’s close. There will be a wine bar set up on the trailer over there, with various whites and reds available from Mel and Tammy’s private collection. Vlad has offered to tend bar—no tips necessary but a good joke is appreciated, if you have one.”
“Woo hoo!” was the general response, with a few women whispering amongst themselves, giving Kat’s sister Anna a tease.
“We have the kiddos and a very special dinner, compliments of Carl’s friend, the Mayor,” I continued. “And before anyone asks, it’s not fish—maybe for breakfast, though, if we catch some. So, please enjoy your afternoon and let us know if you need anything.”
* * * *
We put the fishing lines out half-heartedly, as our freezers were full, and we had promised something else for dinner.
“We’ll set up a smoker,” said Steve and Jim, “for the fish, if we catch any. Never hurts to have some jerky on the road.”
“I’ll coordinate the fishing for the kiddos,” said Carl, with Jake offering to help.
Lonnie sat up on the trailer for the two-hour security shift we would all pitch in on. The women finished bathing, with only a few casual looks from other campers, before being scolded by their wives. I helped serve the mimosas, glancing over at Lonnie, who was talking to a man and a child.
“All good?” I called out.
“Yep, no worries,” Lonnie called back.
* * * *
The first round of the fizzy Tang went straightaway, and Vlad was quickly taking wine orders, like a real bartender.
“You’ve got fast hands,” said Kate’s sister, Anna, joking.
“You didn’t think I only knew about guns, did you?” he fired back.
“No, I guess not,” she replied, asking for a glass of Chardonnay.
“You should have seen me tend bar with two legs!” Vlad added, getting a smile but no words from Anna.
“Hey, Lance,” called out Lonnie. “Bring Hudson up here when you get a chance.”
I found him fishing and nearly had to drag him away from his pole. The fish were biting, and the kids were enjoying the casual afternoon.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Lonnie. I heard you asked for me,” said Hudson.
“Yes, I did,” he replied. “Hold on a second.”
Lonnie whispered his intentions to me, asking if I minded my son getting a gift of sorts.
“Sure,” I said aloud. “He would love it!”
“Hudson,” started Lonnie. “Do you remember what I told you I would keep an eye out for?”
“A red motorcycle?”
“You sure have a good memory. You see that man walking away over there?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Hudson.
“He and I just made a deal. How about you get down and look under the tarp over there.” Lonnie pointed under the trailer.
